Daily Digest

Senate

Chamber Action

S. 2152, to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for assistance for victims of child pornography, with amendments.Page S187

House Messages:

FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act--Agreement: Senate resumed consideration of the amendment of the House to S. 139, to implement the use of Rapid DNA instruments to inform decisions about pretrial release or detention and their conditions, to solve and prevent violent crimes and other crimes, to exonerate the innocent, to prevent DNA analysis backlogs, taking action on the following motions and amendments proposed thereto:Pages S174–S185

Pending:

McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill.Page S174

McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill, with McConnell Amendment No. 1870 (to the House Amendment to the bill), to change the enactment date.Page S174

During consideration of this measure today, Senate also took the following action:

By 60 yeas to 38 nays (Vote No. 11), three-fifths of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion to close further debate on McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill.Page S180

McConnell motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 1872, to change the enactment date, fell when cloture was invoked on the bill.Pages S174, S180

McConnell Amendment No. 1873 (to (the instructions) Amendment No. 1872), of a perfecting nature, fell when McConnell motion to refer the message of the House on the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions, McConnell Amendment No. 1872 (listed above) fell.Pages S174, S180

A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing for further consideration of McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill, post-cloture, at approximately 10 a.m., on Wednesday, January 17, 2018; and that all time during recess, adjournment, morning business, and Leader remarks count post-cloture on McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to the bill.Page S212

Appointments:Health Information Technology Advisory Committee: The Chair, on behalf of the Democratic Leader, pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 114–255, appointed the following individuals to the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee: Valarie R. Grey of New York, and Aaron A. Miri of Massachusetts.Page S212

Adjournment: Senate convened at 4:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:58 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority Leader in today's Record on page S212.)

Committee Meetings

(Committees not listed did not meet)

DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL ENERGY OUTLOOK OVERSIGHT

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the domestic and global energy outlook from the perspective of the International Energy Agency, after receiving testimony from Fatih Birol, International Energy Agency, Paris, France.

DHS OVERSIGHT

Committee on the Judiciary: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Homeland Security, after receiving testimony from Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security.

H.R. 4279, to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise any rules necessary to enable closed-end companies to use the securities offering and proxy rules that are available to other issuers of securities, with an amendment (H. Rept. 115–517);

H. Res. 693, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3326) to increase accountability, combat corruption, and strengthen management effectiveness at the World Bank, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2954) to amend the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to specify which depository institutions are subject to the maintenance of records and disclosure requirements of such Act, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 115–518); and

H. Res. 694, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4712) to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion, and providing for proceedings during the period from January 22, 2018, through January 26, 2018 (H. Rept. 115–519).Page H403

Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Arrington to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.Page H175

Recess: The House recessed at 12:11 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.Page H176

Whole Number of the House: The Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Tiberi, the whole number of the House is 431.Page H176

Recess: The House recessed at 2:12 p.m. and reconvened at 4:17 p.m.Page H178

Journal: The House agreed to the Speaker's approval of the Journal by voice vote.Pages H176, H396

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:American Innovation $1 Coin Act: H.R. 770, amended, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition of American innovation and significant innovation and pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories, and to promote the importance of innovation in the United States, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories;Pages H181–83

Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2017: H.R. 4318, amended, to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 402 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 18;Pages H185–H386, H395–96

Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017: S. 117, to designate a mountain peak in the State of Montana as ``Alex Diekmann Peak'', by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas to 3 nays, Roll No. 19;Pages H386–87, H396

Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act: H.R. 1107, amended, to promote conservation, improve public land management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada;Pages H387–92

Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act: H.R. 1532, to reaffirm that certain land has been taken into trust for the benefit of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; andPages H392–94

Authorizing the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Director of the National Park Service to enter into cooperative management agreements for the operation, maintenance, and management of units of the National Park System in the District of Columbia: H.R. 2897, to authorize the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Director of the National Park Service to enter into cooperative management agreements for the operation, maintenance, and management of units of the National Park System in the District of Columbia.Pages H394–95

Recess: The House recessed at 5:41 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.Page H395

Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Representative LaHood wherein he resigned from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Natural Resources.Page H397

Committee Elections: The House agreed to H. Res. 695, electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.Page H397

Japan-United States Friendship Commission--Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of the following Member on the part of the House to the Japan-United States Friendship Commission: Representative Hill.Page H397

Recess: The House recessed at 7:51 p.m. and reconvened at 8:36 p.m.Page H401

Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed.Family Self-Sufficiency Act: H.R. 4258, amended, to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate use of assistance under sections 8 and 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 with public and private resources, to enable eligible families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency; andPages H178–81

Expanding Investment Opportunities Act: H.R. 4279, amended, to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise any rules necessary to enable closed-end companies to use the securities offering and proxy rules that are available to other issuers of securities.Pages H183–85

Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and subsequently presented to the House today appear on pages H177–78.

Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H395–96 and H396. There were no quorum calls.

Committee Meetings

Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 2954, the ``Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act''; H.R. 3326, the ``World Bank Accountability Act of 2017''; and H.R. 4712, the ``Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act''. The Committee granted, by record vote of 8–4, a structured rule for H.R. 3326. The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule makes in order as original text for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill and provides that it shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The rule makes in order only those further amendments printed in part A of the Rules Committee report. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. The rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. In section 2, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2954 under a closed rule. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in part B of the Rules Committee report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The Committee granted, by record vote of 8–4, a closed rule for H.R. 4712. The rule provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The rule provides that the bill shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against provisions in the bill. The rule provides one motion to recommit. In section 2, the rule provides that on any legislative day during the period from January 22, 2018, through January 26, 2018: the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; and the Chair may at any time declare the House adjourned to meet at a date and time to be announced by the Chair in declaring the adjournment. In section 3, the rule provides that the Speaker may appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 2. Testimony was heard from Chairman Goodlatte, and Representatives Nadler, Barr, and Moore.

Joint Meetings

H.R. 381, to designate a mountain in the John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra National Forest as ``Sky Point''. Signed on January 10, 2018. (Public Law 115–109)

H.R. 699, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to modify provisions relating to certain land exchanges in the Mt. Hood Wilderness in the State of Oregon. Signed on January 10, 2018. (Public Law 115–110)

H.R. 863, to facilitate the addition of park administration at the Coltsville National Historical Park. Signed on January 10, 2018. (Public Law 115–111)

H.R. 2142, to improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States. Signed on January 10, 2018. (Public Law 115–112)

H.R. 2228, to provide support for law enforcement agency efforts to protect the mental health and well-being of law enforcement officers. Signed on January 10, 2018. (Public Law 115–113)

H.R. 2331, to require a new or updated Federal website that is intended for use by the public to be mobile friendly. Signed on January 10, 2018. (Public Law 115–114)

COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR WEDNESDAY,

JANUARY 17, 2018

(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Senate

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: business meeting to consider the nominations of Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Randal Quarles, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Brian D. Montgomery, of Texas, and Robert Hunter Kurtz, of Virginia, both to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and David J. Ryder, of New Jersey, to be Director of the Mint, Department of the Treasury; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine combating money laundering and other forms of illicit finance, focusing on Administration perspectives on reforming and strengthening Bank Secrecy Act enforcement, 10 a.m., SD–538.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: to hold hearings to examine terrorism and social media, 10 a.m., SR–253.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power, to hold hearings to examine the Bureau of Reclamation's title transfer process and potential benefits to Federal and non-Federal stakeholders, 10 a.m., SD–366.

Committee on Environment and Public Works: to hold hearings to examine America's water infrastructure needs and challenges, focusing on Federal panel perspectives, 10 a.m., SD–406.

Committee on Finance: business meeting to consider the nominations of Alex Michael Azar II, of Indiana, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Kevin K. McAleenan, of Hawaii, to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of Dennis Shea, of Virginia, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Geneva Office), with the rank of Ambassador, and C. J. Mahoney, of Kansas, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere), with the rank of Ambassador, 10 a.m., SD–215.

Committee on Indian Affairs: to hold an oversight hearing to examine breaking new ground in agribusiness opportunities in Indian Country, 2:30 p.m., SD–628.

Committee on Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, to hold hearings to examine the long-term care needs of first responders injured in the line of duty, 2:30 p.m., SD–226.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: to hold hearings to examine the state of the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on a progress report on implementing 2017 Department of Veterans Affairs reform legislation, 2 p.m., SR–418.

Select Committee on Intelligence: to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Michael K. Atkinson, of Maryland, to be Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, and Jason Klitenic, of Maryland, to be General Counsel, both of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 11:30 a.m., SH–216.

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, hearing entitled ``Battlefield Successes and Challenges--Recent Efforts to Win the War against ISIS'', 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn.

Committee on Rules, Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House, hearing entitled ``Members' Day Hearing on Article I: Effective Oversight and the Power of the Purse'', 10:30 a.m., H–313 Capitol.

On Wednesday, Senate will continue consideration of McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to S. 139, FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act, post-cloture.

During the balance of the week, Senate may consider any cleared legislative and executive business.

Senate Committees

(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)

Committee on Armed Services: January 18, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Michael D. Griffin, of Alabama, to be Under Secretary for Research and Engineering, Phyllis L. Bayer, of Mississippi, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and John Henderson, of South Dakota, and William Roper, of Georgia, each to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, all of the Department of Defense, 9:30 a.m., SD–G50.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: January 17, business meeting to consider the nominations of Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Randal Quarles, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Brian D. Montgomery, of Texas, and Robert Hunter Kurtz, of Virginia, both to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and David J. Ryder, of New Jersey, to be Director of the Mint, Department of the Treasury; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine combating money laundering and other forms of illicit finance, focusing on Administration perspectives on reforming and strengthening Bank Secrecy Act enforcement, 10 a.m., SD–538.

January 18, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States reform, focusing on examining the essential elements, 10 a.m., SD–538.

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: January 17, to hold hearings to examine terrorism and social media, 10 a.m., SR–253.

January 18, Full Committee, business meeting to consider the nominations of Leon A. Westmoreland, of Georgia, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Barry Lee Myers, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Diana Furchtgott-Roth, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Brendan Carr, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, James Bridenstine, of Oklahoma, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Ann Marie Buerkle, of New York, to be a Commissioner, and to be Chairman, and Dana Baiocco, of Ohio, to be a Commissioner, both of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11 a.m., SH–216.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: January 17, Subcommittee on Water and Power, to hold hearings to examine the Bureau of Reclamation's title transfer process and potential benefits to Federal and non-Federal stakeholders, 10 a.m., SD–366.

January 18, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Melissa F. Burnison, of Kentucky, to be an Assistant Secretary (Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs), and Anne Marie White, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Secretary (Environmental Management), both of the Department of Energy, 10 a.m., SD–366.

Committee on Environment and Public Works: January 17, to hold hearings to examine America's water infrastructure needs and challenges, focusing on Federal panel perspectives, 10 a.m., SD–406.

Committee on Finance: January 17, business meeting to consider the nominations of Alex Michael Azar II, of Indiana, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Kevin K. McAleenan, of Hawaii, to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of Dennis Shea, of Virginia, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Geneva Office), with the rank of Ambassador, and C. J. Mahoney, of Kansas, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere), with the rank of Ambassador, 10 a.m., SD–215.

Committee on Foreign Relations: January 18, business meeting to consider the nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback, of Kansas, to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State, 10:30 a.m., S–116, Capitol.

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: January 17, to hold hearings to examine Medicaid and the opioid epidemic, focusing on unintended consequences, 10 a.m., SD–342.

Committee on Indian Affairs: January 17, to hold an oversight hearing to examine breaking new ground in agribusiness opportunities in Indian Country, 2:30 p.m., SD–628.

Committee on Judiciary: January 17, Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, to hold hearings to examine the long-term care needs of first responders injured in the line of duty, 2:30 p.m., SD–226.

January 18, Full Committee, business meeting to consider the nominations of Elizabeth L. Branch, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit, Stuart Kyle Duncan, of Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, David Ryan Stras, of Minnesota, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, Annemarie Carney Axon, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, R. Stan Baker, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Georgia, Jeffrey Uhlman Beaverstock, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, Liles Clifton Burke, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, Thomas Alvin Farr, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Charles Barnes Goodwin, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, Michael Joseph Juneau, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Emily Coody Marks, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama, Terry Fitzgerald Moorer, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, Mark Saalfield Norris, Sr., to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee, William M. Ray II, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, Eli Jeremy Richardson, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee, Holly Lou Teeter, to be United States District Judge for the District of Kansas, and Brian Allen Benczkowski, of Virginia, Jeffrey Bossert Clark, of Virginia, and Eric S. Dreiband, of Maryland, each to be an Assistant Attorney General, John H. Durham, to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael T. Baylous, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia, and Daniel R. McKittrick, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Mississippi, all of the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD–226.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs: January 17, to hold hearings to examine the state of the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on a progress report on implementing 2017 Department of Veterans Affairs reform legislation, 2 p.m., SR–418.

Select Committee on Intelligence: January 17, to hold hearings to examine the nominations of Michael K. Atkinson, of Maryland, to be Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, and Jason Klitenic, of Maryland, to be General Counsel, both of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 11:30 a.m., SH–216.

January 18, Full Committee, to receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters, 2 p.m., SH–219.

Committee on Rules, January 18, Full Committee, hearing entitled ``Article I: Effective Oversight and the Power of the Purse'' [ORIGINAL JURISDICTION HEARING], 10:30 a.m., H–313 Capitol.

Committee on Small Business, January 18, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade, hearing entitled ``Engaging Energy: Small Business Resources at the Department of Energy'', 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn.

Program for Wednesday: Senate will continue consideration of McConnell motion to concur in the amendment of the House to S. 139, FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act, post-cloture.

Next Meeting of the

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

10 a.m., Wednesday, January 17

House Chamber

Program for Wednesday: Consideration of H.R. 2954--Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act (Subject to a Rule). Consideration of H.R. 3326--World Bank Accountability Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule). Consideration of measures under suspension of the Rules.